CONCORD – On the heels of Senator John Kerry’s remarks disparaging America’s Armed Forces a Kerry appearance for Paul Hodes scheduled for this Sunday has been cancelled. With only five days until the Election Day Republican State Committee Chairman called on Paul Hodes and New Hampshire Democrats to return Kerry’s tainted money. An Indiana Democrat has already returned his Kerry contributions. Will Paul Hodes and New Hampshire Democrats follow their lead?

John Kerry’s campaign committee and his PAC have funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars to New Hampshire Democrats including over $300,000 to the NH Democrat Party, and thousands to Governor Lynch and Paul Hodes. Additionally, on the front page of John Kerry’s Political Action Committee (PAC) website (www.keepingamericaspromise.com) Hodes and Shea-Porter are listed as two of Kerry’s top priorities this election cycle. There is also a link for direct solicitations to their campaigns (https://contribute.keepingamericaspromise.com/s15a.html?sc=hp).

According to USA Today , “Former congressman Baron Hill, a Democrat trying to reclaim a U.S. House seat in Indiana, returned a $1,000 political contribution from Kerry, saying he was ‘disturbed and disappointed’ by the Massachusetts senator’s remarks.” ( USA Today , 11/2/06)

“It’s one thing to cancel a public appearance and hid John Kerry’s support in the closet. Paul Hodes needs to come out and publicly denounce Kerry’s remarks and return the money immediately,” Semprini said.